Energizer Q1 profits beats expectations, helped by APS deal contribution

Overview

• Battery maker's fiscal Q1 net sales rose 6.5%, beating analyst expectations

• Adjusted EPS for fiscal Q1 beat analyst expectations

• Company reduced debt by over $100 mln

Outlook

• Energizer reaffirms fiscal year guidance for organic net sales to be flat to slightly up

• Company expects full-year adjusted EPS between $3.30 and $3.60

• Energizer anticipates Q2 organic net sales to decline 4% to 5%, adj EPS of $0.40 to $0.50

Result Drivers

• ACQUISITION IMPACT - The acquisition of APS contributed $64.6 mln to net sales, driving overall sales growth

• GROSS MARGIN DECLINE - Gross margin fell due to increased input costs, tariffs, and an unfavorable product mix

• CASH GENERATION - Strong cash flow allowed for over $100 mln in debt reduction and shareholder returns

Key Details

Analyst Coverage

• The current average analyst rating on the shares is "hold" and the breakdown of recommendations is 1 "strong buy" or "buy", 5 "hold" and no "sell" or "strong sell"

• The average consensus recommendation for the electrical components & equipment peer group is "buy."

• Wall Street's median 12-month price target for Energizer Holdings Inc is $22.00, about 5.9% below its February 4 closing price of $23.38

• The stock recently traded at 7 times the next 12-month earnings vs. a P/E of 6 three months ago

Press Release: ID:nPnbcgWl5a

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